A Startling Discovery

           ITwasafrightfulnight.AttwoA.M.therainbegantofallintorrentsfromthestormyclouds,andcontinuedtilldaybreak.Thetentbecameaninsufficientshelter.Glenarvanandhiscompanionstookrefugeinthewagon;theydidnotsleep,buttalkedofonethingandanother.TheMajoralone,whosebriefabsencehadnotbeennoticed,contentedhimselfwithbeingasilentlistener.TherewasreasontofearthatifthestormlastedlongertheSnowyRiverwouldoverflowitsbanks,whichwouldbeaveryunluckythingforthewagon,stuckfastasitwasalreadyinthesoftground.Mulrady,AyrtonandMangleswentseveraltimestoascertaintheheightofthewater,andcamebackdrippingfromheadtofoot.

           Atlastdayappeared;therainceased,butsunlightcouldnotbreakthroughthethickclouds.Largepatchesofyellowishwater—muddy,dirtypondsindeedtheywere—coveredtheground.Ahotsteamrosefromthesoakingearth,andsaturatedtheatmospherewithunhealthyhumidity.

           Glenarvan’sfirstconcernwasthewagon;thiswasthemainthinginhiseyes.Theyexaminedtheponderousvehicle,andfounditsunkinthemudinadeephollowinthestiffclay.Theforeparthaddisappearedcompletely,andthehindpartuptotheaxle.Itwouldbeahardjobtogettheheavyconveyanceout,andwouldneedtheunitedstrengthofmen,bullocks,andhorses.

           "Atanyrate,wemustmakehaste,"saidJohnMangles."Iftheclaydries,itwillmakeourtaskstillmoredifficult."

           "Letusbequick,then,"repliedAyrton.